theatricalism

American  

[thee-a-tri-kuh-liz-uhm] / θiˈæ trɪ kəˌlɪz əm /

noun

1. conduct suggesting theatrical actions or mannerisms, especially of an extravagant or exhibitionist sort.

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Other Word Forms

• semitheatricalism noun

Etymology

Origin of theatricalism

First recorded in 1850–55; theatrical + -ism

Example Sentences

The acting styles range all the way from the theatricalism of Maurice Evans as a simpering Caesar to Mature's deadpanning.

From Time Magazine Archive

But, taken as a whole, the play fails, and for three reasons: a faultiness of structure, an obsessiveness of attitude, an empurpling theatricalism.

From Time Magazine Archive

Yet, as Edmund Wilson observed in an otherwise critical essay: "There remains behind the journalism, the theatricalism and the tricks, a mind which does seem first-rate in its unpanicky scrutiny of life."

From Time Magazine Archive

More culpably, Williams' gift for theatricalism makes the how of Suddenly Last Summer devour the why, turns the horrifying means into an end in itself.

From Time Magazine Archive

I'm going to introduce a course in practical theatricalism.

From Seeing Things at Night by Broun, Heywood